A young gentleman, Graham Coulton, finds himself wandering the streets of London on a cold, rainy night, feeling hopeless and homeless. Despite his gentlemanly appearance, he is without money or shelter, reflecting on his despair after a quarrel with his father. As he walks, he encounters William, a former servant, who offers him shelter in an old house that is being vacated. Graham accepts and is welcomed into a spacious but empty room, where he finds warmth by the fire. As he rests, he dreams of a mysterious old woman lamenting over gold, surrounded by the shadows of the needy she had once ignored. This dream leaves him shaken, and upon waking, he learns from William that the house has a dark history: a murder of a woman named Miss Tynan, who was suspected to have hidden wealth. The murder remains unsolved, and the house has since been avoided by tenants. Intrigued and emboldened, Graham decides to investigate the mystery of the house and the missing treasure. He spends the day searching but finds nothing until he experiences strange occurrences, including visions of the old woman from his dreams. He becomes convinced that the treasure is hidden within the house. Determined, Graham sets a trap for the potential thieves he suspects are still after the treasure. During a confrontation, he is injured but manages to alert the authorities. The police discover the hidden wealth behind a shattered mirror, revealing the truth about Miss Tynan's murder and the treasure. In the aftermath, Graham reconciles with his father, who is initially skeptical but ultimately impressed by his son's bravery and newfound purpose. Graham expresses his desire to make amends for his past behavior and to build a better future, having learned valuable lessons from his experiences in the old house. The story concludes with Graham feeling a sense of hope and direction, having transformed his despair into determination.
By Charlotte Riddell · First published 1881 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Mystery, Literary Fiction · 3 chapters